Murphy’s HaystacksEyre Peninsula, SA

Murphy’s HaystacksNAME of FORMATION: Murphy’s Haystacks LOCATION: South Australia, Eyre PeninsulaTYPE of ROCK: Ancient pink granite rocksCLASSIFICATION: Sedimentary FORMATION: Murphy’s Haystacks were formed by deep erosion and weathering over time by soil moisture in the weak spots of the rock. Some parts of the rocks were said to be flared from the erosion. HOW DID IT GET THERE?: Inselberg rock formation

NOTEErosion- The wearing away of the lands’ surface by the sun, wind, water, frost or ice.

A few hundred thousand years ago, when Murphy’s Haystacks hadn’t taken

form yet…

A sand-dune

… they were covered by a sand dune, which has now eroded away.

… revealing a sediment of rock which was formed many years

before this.

… a few more years later…

NOTESediment- any material or organic matter deposited by wind, water or ice (erosion).

After being compressed by the layers above them, these sediments become

cemented together by natural minerals.

Over time, the cracks widened…

Over time, the cracks widened…

… and widened…

Over time, the cracks widened…

… and widened…

… and widened some more…

Soon the edges of the rock eroded away…

Soon the edges of the rock eroded away…

… and eroded some more…

The rock slowly starts to take shape.

The rock slowly starts to take shape.

It may not be seen, but from another perspective the boulder circled has also

been flared from the erosion.

After 2000 years, the reddish colour of Murphy's Haystacks were caused by a

species of lichen.

After 2000 years, the reddish colour of Murphy's Haystacks were caused by a

species of lichen.

NOTELichen- a plant formed by species of alga and fungus, often appearing as a light green growth on tree trunks and rocks.

The whole process would’ve taken over a million years to form.

NOTELichen- a plant formed by species of alga and fungus, often appearing as a light green growth on tree trunks and rocks.

Here is a photo of the shape of Murphy’s Haystacks today in

South Australia.

THE END